Peppermint Essential Oil and Its Major Volatiles as Protective Agents against Soft Rot Caused by Fusarium sambucinum in Cera Pepper (Capsicum pubescens)

Abstract

Cera pepper (Capsicum pubescens) is an exotic fruit considered as a rich source of nutraceuticals with known benefits for human health and also an economic resource for local producers in Mexico. The present investigation reports on the in vitro and in situ antifungal activity of the essential oil from Mentha piperita and its two major volatiles (menthol and menthone) against Fusarium sambucinum, which is a causal agent of soft rot in cera pepper. The application of these components in pepper fruits previously infected with F. sambucinum caused a significant delay (p < 0.05) in the emergence of soft rot symptoms. This effect was reflected in the maintenance of pH and fruit firmness during a period of 10 days. The nutrimental content of the fruits (protein, fiber, fat and other proximate parameters) was conserved in the same period of time. The nutraceutical content of these fruits was estimated by the quantification of seven carotenoids (violaxanthin, cis-violaxanthin, luteoxanthin, antheraxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin and β-carotene), ascorbic acid and capsaicinoids (capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin). According to our results, the essential oil from M. Piperita and its major volatiles exerted a preservative effect on these metabolites. Our findings demonstrated that the essential oil of M. Piperita and its major volatiles represent an ecological alternative for the control of fusariosis caused by F. sambucinum in cera peppers under postharvest conditions.

Improving the Shelf Life of Avocado Fruit against Clonostachys rosea with Chitosan Hybrid Films Containing Thyme Essential Oil

“…These compounds confer the characteristic color of the pulp and pericarp of this exotic fruit [ 20 ]. A similar protective effect was reported by Pérez-Vázquez et al [ 10 ] on the conservation of the carotenoids of manzano pepper. On the other hand, the antifungal activity of hybrid films containing chitosan and the essential oil from Schinus molle demonstrated its effectiveness on cherry tomatoes infected with Fusarium oxysporum [ 11 ].…”

“…Thus, new antifungal agents need to be explored to control this new threat to avocado producers. Recent evidence states that essential oils may be a natural alternative for the control of postharvest fruit diseases [ 10 ].…”

“…Pathogenicity tests were done in accordance with Coyotl-Pérez et al [ 2 ] using the strain C08-9 of C. rosea which was isolated from diseased avocadoes. This phytopathogen was previously identified using the methods described by Pérez-Vázquez et al [ 10 ]. For this purpose, 1000 conidia were obtained from a monosporic culture (10 µL of a sterile saline solution containing 1 × 10 5 conidia mL −1 ).…”

Fungistatic Films Containing Cinnamon Essential Oil: New Coatings to Preserve the Nutraceutical Content of Avocado Fruit against Fusariosis

“…Essential oils and natural volatiles have been envisioned as effective antimicrobials to treat the invasive growth of several phytopathogens. [7] On the other hand, the control of phytopathogens using natural polymers such as chitosan has acquired substantial importance in the control of postharvest diseases. The presence of reactive NH 2 functional groups confers to chitosan a strong antimicrobial activity against a wide spectrum of phytopathogens.…”

Solenopsis geminata1: First Report as a Persistent Pest of Manzano Pepper Harvested in the Northern Highlands of Puebla, Mexico

“…since several years ago. Considering the crop is a significant source of income and exportation in the geographical region, producers are concerned about severe loss (to 40%) from infestation by ants (Pérez-Vasquez et al 2022). Collaterally, wounds by ants facilitate colonization by opportunistic fungi that decrease fruit quality.…”